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Ophelia
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Member since 5/06 23378 total posts
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remember, when Gulliver traveled....
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Another "rodent" issue
so, we have a barn. there are definitely visitors in there, especially during the cold.
I will say outright that I am not a "humane" person when it comes to dealing with rats.
rats must die. as quickly and painlessly as modern day trapping allows, but I will not re-release them into the world.
I do feel differently about rabbits, chipmunks etc. (if that makes me a hypocrite, I can live with that.)
so really my question is...if we put snap traps or other traps down for rats/mice...will I endanger other small animals that may be co-habitating with them in my barn?
is there a way to kill the rats but not the others??
or should I just let them all eat cake?
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Posted 11/24/08 11:09 AM  |
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lucyloo
nope
Member since 1/06 9758 total posts
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Re: Another "rodent" issue
It depends upon where you put the trap. If you leave it within reach of other animals they will be at risk of getting hurt.
ETA: Rats and mice don't get along so you wouldn't have both.
Message edited 11/24/2008 11:13:30 AM.
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| Posted 11/24/08 11:12 AM |
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Kara
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Member since 3/07 13217 total posts
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They call me "Tater Salad"
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Re: Another "rodent" issue
Traps that will get rats will also get chipmunks. Unfortunately i don't think you can manage to find a trap that will kill rats but not get a chipmunk.
You could use humane traps, but then you'd have to relocate the chipmunks yourself and euthanize the rats and/or mice yourself.
If this is a barn that is basically totally enclosed like a large shed, make sure to find out how they are getting in. Plus any holes with steel wool before patching. Unfortunately, if it's an open barn with sliding doors, it's harder to keep them out. I'd still look for holes, though. If the doors stay shut, they likely are going in/out through holes, not through the doors.
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| Posted 11/25/08 10:14 AM |
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SweetTooth
I'm a tired mommy!
Member since 12/05 20105 total posts
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Lauren
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Re: Another "rodent" issue
A snap trap could potentially kill or injure any animal - whether you have mice, raccoon, chipmunks, squirrels, etc.
Is is an older barn? Or is it very secure? If it is old I am sure there are lots of spaces animals can get in from, in which case you will never be able to get rid of them. If it is new, has siding, etc, it will be easier to find where they are coming in from.
Message edited 11/25/2008 11:46:27 AM.
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| Posted 11/25/08 11:44 AM |
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lucyloo
nope
Member since 1/06 9758 total posts
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Re: Another "rodent" issue
What ever you decided to do, please don't use poison. They could kill the animals that hunt rats/mice. Or a dog or cat could get it.
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| Posted 11/25/08 12:04 PM |
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Ophelia
she's baaccckkkk ;)
Member since 5/06 23378 total posts
Name:
remember, when Gulliver traveled....
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Re: Another "rodent" issue
Posted by dita
What ever you decided to do, please don't use poison. They could kill the animals that hunt rats/mice. Or a dog or cat could get it.
we would never use poison.
I should say that my grandfather's brother was bitten by a rat in his crib in infancy (during the Great Depression) and died from the bite so my grandfather has a VERY healthy fear of rodents, which he extended to us (I lived with him growing up)
I am not a cruel person and do not believe in cruelty to animals, but I DO believe in the diseases they carry, and I am a big chicken..I freely admit it.
as to our barn, it's 200 years old. I have a good idea of where they are coming in from (one side of the barn is unfinished and there are holes everywhere. the other finished side as a few holes leading from the unfinished side in the loft area.
I will talk to dh about having the holes in the loft filled it by an exterminator.
thank you all for your help and responses.
Message edited 11/25/2008 12:12:03 PM.
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| Posted 11/25/08 12:11 PM |
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SweetTooth
I'm a tired mommy!
Member since 12/05 20105 total posts
Name:
Lauren
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Re: Another "rodent" issue
Or you could do what they would have done 200 years ago - get some barn cats. 
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| Posted 11/25/08 12:27 PM |
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Ophelia
she's baaccckkkk ;)
Member since 5/06 23378 total posts
Name:
remember, when Gulliver traveled....
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Re: Another "rodent" issue
Posted by SweetTooth
Or you could do what they would have done 200 years ago - get some barn cats.
I thought about this, but dh is afraid the cats would freeze to death!
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| Posted 11/25/08 12:29 PM |
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IrishLasss334
I'll be there soon!
Member since 1/08 6549 total posts
Name:
Patty
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Re: Another "rodent" issue
I don't think if you have rats, you're going to have chipmunks in the barn. Have you seen them in there? I am not sure about this but if I were a chipmunk, I wouldn't be living with a bunch of rats, they are nasty creatures.
I would go to the shelter and get some of the biggest tom cats they got, or if they have some ferral rescues, that would be even better, they are used to living outside. I know your DH is afraid of them freezing out side, but I don't think they would. Also, you could get a small dog house and put it in the barn with some hay and put the cats in it and then they would have a place to sleep and be warm.
Last year I had a mouse in the kitchen and I was ready to put my cat on the unemployment line as she stood there and stared at him. I did not take the humane way out in getting rid of the mouse and his pals.
Good luck!
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| Posted 11/25/08 1:21 PM |
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Kara
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Member since 3/07 13217 total posts
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They call me "Tater Salad"
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Re: Another "rodent" issue
Posted by Ophelia
Posted by SweetTooth
Or you could do what they would have done 200 years ago - get some barn cats.
I thought about this, but dh is afraid the cats would freeze to death!
They won't if they have access to the interior... I've been around barns for many, many years -- all have outdoor barn cats employed as mousers. None ever froze to death. Granted, I know with you guys not being there full time this isn't the best option. Some were better than others, though!  Not all cats are good mousers -- and they may not hunt the rats if the rats are really large. They might scare some of them off, though. (Okay, enough of THIS tangent...)
Seriously, though, if you plus the holes, you'll decrease the population dramatically and they will take up residence elsewhere.
And I don't blame you. I don't mess around with rats. 
Message edited 11/25/2008 1:54:41 PM.
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| Posted 11/25/08 1:54 PM |
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